Home

Understanding The Function Of Distribution Boards In Electrical Safety

By Dorothy Dunbar / October 20, 2023

The safe and dependable electricity distribution in homes and buildings is made possible by a distribution board, also known as an electrical panel or breaker box. It is outfitted with Miniature Circuit Breakers (mcbs) to protect electrical circuits from overloads and short circuits. 

What is a Distribution Board?

Like the beating heart of your electrical system, a distribution board takes electricity from the main supply and splits it into smaller circuits for distribution in your house or building. Lights, outlets, appliances, and other electrical devices are all powered by these circuits. 

What are the functions of MCBs? 

An MCB is an electrical switch that operates automatically. Miniature circuit breakers guard against overcurrent damage to an electrical circuit. Let’s now examine the mcbs, or miniature circuit breakers, essential for distribution boards. 

  1. Defending against overloads

The wiring gets overloaded when too many electrical devices work from a circuit. This excess current might cause overheating and even trip automatically, and cut the power to the affected circuit.  

  1. Defending against short circuits

Short circuits present a fire risk because they can produce intense heat and sparks. When there is a short circuit, MCBs respond quickly, stopping the flow of electricity in milliseconds to stop any harm. 

How MCBs Operate

An MCB’s internal mechanisms are quite clever. A bimetallic strip located inside the MCB bends when exposed to excessive current. This strip heats up during an overload or short circuit, causing the MCB to trip. Power must be manually reset when the MCB trips to ensure any underlying problems are fixed before power is restored.

 

What are the Advantages of MCBs? 

  • Safety
  • Convenience
  • Selective Tripping
  • Durability

Selecting the Correct MCB

The following factors are crucial to take into account when choosing MCBs for your distribution board:

  • Current Rating: Check the MCB’s current rating to ensure it corresponds to the load on the circuit it will be used to protect.
  • Type: Different MCB types, such as Type B, C, and D, are available. These types are made to trip at various levels of overload. Select the kind based on your requirements.
  • Number of Poles: It comes with single-pole, double-pole, and three-pole MCB configurations. The number of poles will vary depending on whether the circuit is single-phase or three-phase.
  • Brand and Quality: Choose reputable brands and high-quality MCBs to ensure dependability and safety.

Conclusion 

To sum up, distribution boards and MCBs are the heroes of electrical safety. They put much effort into the background to safeguard your house or structure from electrical dangers. Knowing their function and significance lets you keep yourself and your property safe from electrical risks by making informed decisions about electrical installations and maintenance. So, remember the crucial role that your distribution board and those dependable MCBs play the next time you flip a switch or plug in an appliance.

Please Visit Legrand’s website for more information and get details! 

You may also like